03/10/08 Fallahi helps develop alternative crops

It can be over 100 degrees in the shade or a snowy 20 degrees with a stiff north wind blowing. No matter to Essie Fallahi, he's out in the orchards and vineyards near Parma. This Iranian native and University of Idaho researcher has helped producers develop new fruit niche markets in a water starved state. FALLAHI "I am very happy that we have found ways that we can save water. And we have fruits here that we have produced them under drip irrigation with 65 percent water savings and the quality of that and yield is by far better than a sprinkler system." 15 years ago some Idaho apple growers scoffed at Fallahi's prediction that the Chinese were about to flood the US market. When it happened in 1999 some of those growers had diversified and were growing other apple varieties. FALLAHI "And that was the time that we saw the surge in the production Fuji and Gala. That is the part of the reason that I was describing the program is looking at the future." So too is research and he continues to push for alternative fruit crops for niche markets. Some credit him with helping to promote the new table grape industry that is growing in southwestern Idaho. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott